Arizona Senate kills recall overhaul bill

PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate has struck down an effort that would make it
harder for voters to recall unpopular incumbents in a rare move that saw
Republicans join Democrats against a GOP priority designed to protect lawmakers,
and possibly, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The 10-18 vote Thursday saw seven Republicans cross the aisle to defeat the
bill, which seeks to add a primary to all voter-initiated recall elections and
would have ensured the incumbent advanced to the general election regardless of
the primary outcome. That means rivals from the same political party would have
to beat the incumbent twice to win office. There was no debate before the vote
Thursday.

The recall overhaul is slated to take effect retroactively in January 2013 if
it becomes law. Supporters hope it will undermine an ongoing effort by opponents
of Arpaio to force a recall election.

Arpaio critics said they were thrilled by the Senate vote because Arizona’s
recall law already makes it difficult to remove politicians.

“I can tell you we are in for a fight,” said Lilia Alvarez, an organizer of
the Arpaio recall effort. “But, overall, it’s not a hill we cannot climb.”

Every public officer holding an elective office is subject to recall under
Arizona law. To be successful, opponents must gather signatures equaling 25
percent of the ballots cast in the last election within 120 days. Arpaio
opponents need to collect more than 350,000 valid signatures by May 30.

Majority Republicans had argued that House Bill 2282 was needed to protect
elected officials who are targeted only because of their party affiliation.

“It’s going to make people think twice before they offer a recall,” said
Senate Majority Leader John McComish of Phoenix.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Steve Smith of Maricopa, said the current
recall process allows for “the potential gaming of the system.”

But other GOP leaders said the measure was unlikely to be signed into law
because it was unnecessary and unreasonable in that it sought to add additional
hurdles to an already demanding process.

“We knew it was dead two weeks ago,” said Republican Sen. Rich Crandall of
Mesa, who voted against it. “It was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Crandall said the measure was pushed by Republicans who are friendly with
former Senate President Russell Pearce, who became the first Arizona legislator
recalled in 2011. But those without loyalties to Pearce had no interest in the
bill, Crandall said.

Arpaio wasn’t a rallying factor in the vote because it is unlikely his
opponents will be able to force a recall, Crandall said.

“It’s hard already,” Crandall said of the recall process. “You have to
collect so many signatures. That’s what protects Arpaio.”

Republican Sen. Michele Reagan of Scottsdale said she struggled with the
provision allowing an incumbent to advance to the general election after losing
a primary.

“The bill didn’t make sense to me,” she said. “I couldn’t figure out how it
was going to work.”

Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo of Phoenix, an outspoken critic of the measure,
said the effort to allow incumbents to participate in the general election
regardless of their primary finish likely killed the bill. That provision was
added in a floor amendment on Tuesday.

“The recall statute was never intended to be partisan,” Gallardo said after
the vote Thursday.

Republicans could bring the bill back before the Senate next week. The Arizona
House passed the measure in a 36-23 vote in March with Democrats arguing against
it.

Arpaio was elected in November to his sixth consecutive term in office. He has
said voters won’t be fooled by the recall effort.